Thank you for the flower baskets in downtown Hightstown!

To the editor:

It's been a hot, dry summer, but Hightstown is still in full bloom!  Many thanks to the business owners, community groups and residents who contributed to GHEWIP's purchase of the bountiful flower baskets that adorn our downtown business district.  While Hightstown's Public Works Department continued the annual tradition of installing the baskets, the baskets were once again fully funded by donations from local stakeholders.  These blooms have become the trademark of our town.

Thanks to local business supporters including 1st Constitution Bank, 231 Studios, A.L. Duryee & Sons, Allen & Stults Co, Inc., Anthony's Chicken & Grill, Ayom Day Spa and Salon, Barlow and Zimmer Funeral Home, Ben's Shoe Repair, Brennan Law Offices, CCL Label, Cranbury Design Center, Customized Benefit Solutions Inc.(CBSI), Diana P. Lang Photography, Dom's Service Center, Dorli Bridal and Tailor, Dr. John Laudenberger, DMD, Dr. Joseph Caruso, DMD, El Buen Gusto, Glackin/Saul Funeral Home, Hair by Sharon, Hights Electric Motor Service, Inc., Hightstown Diner, Hightstown Fuel Service, Joseph Varo Hairstylists, Mannino's IV Pizza and Restaurant, Masterpiece Studios, Mercer Street Grill and Deli, Metro PCS (Z Line Cellular, Inc.), Minken & Associates, PC, New Jersey Irrigation Co., Pretty Nails, Second Chance Furniture, State Farm Insurance Co. - Carlos Duran, and Perritt Labs, Inc.

Invaluable community support came from donor organizations including East Windsor Education Association, The Friday Club of Hightstown, Greater Goods Thrift Store, Hightstown PBA Local 283, Hightstown Women's Club, Meadow Lakes, Mom's Club of East Windsor/Hightstown-West, Rocky Brook Garden Club, St. Anthony of Padua Church, and VFW Post 5700.

Local resident donors include Goldie Applegate, Joseph & Elizabeth Balcewicz, Elaine Berlinger, Jeff Bond, Janice Carson & Paul Mordetsky, Doug & Gina Charsky, Bruce & Jane Conord, Eileen Couturier, Marvin Crabtree & Beverly Asselstine, Gail Doran & Norman Brete, George & Peg Dubell, Patrick Duncan & Mellany Alio, Paul & Deborah Follansbee, John & Gail Gaspar, Tom & Delores Garvey, Bill Gilmore, John Green & Alison Zaeder, Gary & Dale Grubb, Larry Gunnell, Darek Hahn & Ann Dandurand, Bill & Lynda Harrington, Don Henry & Michelle Kelly, Jason & Kristin Honsel, Thomas & Isabel Huelbig, Mary Jane & Bob Hung, Ashley & Lee Hutchinson, Sandra Johnson, Thomas & Barbara Jones, Martin & Stacey Judge, Christian Kirkpatrick, Peter & Barbara Klapsogeorge, Keith & Donna LePrevost, Jennie & Mark Lindbloom, Steven & Susan Lloyd, Mary Mastoris, Gabriel Mintier, David & Rev. Karin Mitchell, Jim & Louise Mount, Jim & Joan Mulcahey, Tom & Susan Muza, Warren & Shirley Olsen, Brian & Janet Orey, Joann & Hector Palma, In Memory of Eddie and Bobby Parda - Jacqueline Parda, Bob & Kathy Patten, Richard Pratt & Amanda

Porter, M. Catherine Rodrigue, Ryan & Amanda Rosenberg, Donna Schmid, David & Irene Schubert, Dr. John & Robin Smith, Kathryn Smith, Thomas Smith & Gayle Henkin, Robert Sprout, Lonnie & Mary Stazzone, Lisa Toci, Vaughn Urstadt, Mike & Anastasia Vanderbeck, Dick Van Hise, Walter Vincent & Christine Beiswanger, Lynn & Peter Wallace, Sandra & Bob Wasilewski, Robin Wojcik, Veronica Woods, Jennifer Worringer, Blaine & Jane Zanat, David & Katherine Zaiser, and James & Kristina Zito.

Special appreciation goes to GHEWIP for coordinating the fundraising effort, and to Dale & Gary Grubb, who facilitated the purchase and installation of the flower baskets.  Thanks to Gary's stewardship, the Main Street trellis is once again embellished with flowers as well.

This is one of the many collaborative projects that make Hightstown a special place to live, work, shop and visit.  Through public-private partnerships, we can continue to fulfill Hightstown's potential.  We encourage you to get involved in Downtown Hightstown, Inc. and be part of the change.

Ryan Rosenberg

Chair, Downtown Hightstown, Inc.